Portable ostomy management device

ABSTRACT

The “Portable Ostomy Management Device” is a portable, self-contained, powered unit designed to wash and clean the stoma, and interior of drainable ostomy pouches. These pouches are designed to accept the human body waste via the stoma, located on the body of an ostomy patient. This portable system allows an ostomate to position the pouch so it drains into a toilet bowl, permitting the person to wash the pouch interior without removing it from the body or from the barrier section. This portable device allows the ostomate to completely service the ostomy in just a few minutes. The invention includes a carrying case (briefcase, travel bag, soft case, or other containing device), water reservoir, power unit, pump, hoses, control valve, and various other components necessary in controlling power, water pressure and other attributes of this device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] The “Portable Ostomy Management Device” was created by Thomas J. Castles, a citizen of the city of Stockton, Calif. in the country of the United States Of America, who resides at 4848 E. Hildreth Lane, 95212.

[0004] Thomas J. Castles has been an ostomate for 46 years, having had an “end colostomy” procedure.

[0005] According to the International Ostomy Association, and ostomy is best defined as “type of surgery required when a person has lost the normal function of the bladder or bowel due to birth defects, disease, injury or other disorders. Such operations include colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy. The surgery allows for normal bodily wastes to be expelled through a new surgical opening (stoma) on the abdominal wall. Most persons with ostomies must wear special appliances over the stoma. An ostomate is a person who has had ostomy surgery. Related surgeries are surgeries of the bowel or urinary system that correct birth defects, illness or injury while preserving continence.”

[0006] Mr. Castles has done extensive traveling within the United States while vacationing and while serving as a delegate to the American Federation of Musicians. In addition, he has traveled locally as and active performing musician. During these times he has used airliners, cruise ships, trains, motor homes and automobiles, and has been required to maintain the stoma, which is accomplished by “flushing out” the internal waste channel using water. This requires water to be inserted into the stoma, then released back into a waste basin or toilet. In the past, it has been difficult for such a procedure to be completed when the ostomy patient was away from home, where proper facilities were available.

[0007] Mr. Castles realized the need for ostomy patients to have a portable service device that allows for efficient, sanitary maintenance of the stoma. The “Portable Ostomy Management Device” provides ostomy patients with a device that is small, portable, and battery powered to provide stoma maintenance anywhere, at any time. Ostomy patients have no ability to control the normal body function and therefore face extreme stress problems servicing their pouch while at work, visiting, traveling or during other intimate moments in life.

[0008] There is no information known to Mr. Castles, including references to specific documents, which are related to his invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] The “Portable Ostomy Management Device” is a portable, self-contained, powered unit designed to wash and clean the stoma, and interior of drainable ostomy pouches. These pouches are designed to accept the human body waste via the stoma, located on the body of an ostomy patient. This portable system allows an ostomate to position the pouch so it drains into a toilet bowl, permitting the person to wash the pouch interior without removing it from the body or from the barrier section. This portable device allows the ostomate to completely service the ostomy in just a few minutes.

[0010] The invention includes a carrying case (briefcase, travel bag, soft case, or other containing device), water reservoir, power unit, pump, hoses, control valve, and various other components necessary in controlling power, water pressure and other attributes of this device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Diagram 1.1: This is a diagram of the major components of the device.

[0012] Diagram 1.2: This is a digitally scanned image of the device prototype, installed within a standard business briefcase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] This device consists of five (5) major sub-assemblies. These sub-assemblies, collectively, constitute the “Portable Ostomy Management Device”. In detail, the sub-assemblies consist of:

[0014] Carrying Container Component

[0015] This device can be installed in almost any type of portable carrying container or case, including but not limited to, a Briefcase, Soft Carrying Case, Purse, Backpack, Travel Bag, Suitcase, Camera Bag, or any other transportation apparatus. When installed in a standard commercial business briefcase, the total weight of the device (with 84 ounces of water in the reservoir) is 16 pounds. Depth is 4 inches, height is 12¾ inches and length is 17 inches.

[0016] Power Unit Component

[0017] The power unit consists of a 12 volt DC battery pack, with an amp-hour (AH) rating of approximately 5 AH, which may vary depending upon make and model of the pump used in the device. The power unit also has a fuse assembly and an override slide switch (off and on) on the positive lead wire between the battery and water pump terminal. This switch provides shutoff in the event that the water supply is completely exhausted. When this occurs, the on-demand feature of the pump's pneumatic switch does not function, therefore the switch is required to cut off 12 volt DC current to shut off the pump. The power unit also contains a facility for re-charging the battery using DC and AC power sources.

[0018] Water Reservoir Component

[0019] The water reservoir consists of a container for holding water used during the operation of the device. The reservoir can be a water flask, plastic water bag, plastic container, or any other water-containing unit. The water reservoir used will depend upon the carrying container selected to house the device.

[0020] Pump Component

[0021] The pump consists of a 1 Gallon Per Minute, DC powered, on-demand pumping unit that has a pneumatic-switch that automatically turns off the pump when flow of water ceases, and the water pressure in the pumping unit reaches 30 pounds per square inch. Attached to the pump are two water delivery hoses. The first delivers water from the water reservoir to the pump. The second delivers water from the pump to the Water Flow Valve.

[0022] Water Flow Valve Component

[0023] The water control valve consists of a hand operated component that, when activated, allows water to flow out of the device for purposes of using the “Portable Ostomy Management Device”. The water flow valve features and on/off controller mechanism that, when depressed, begins water flow. Further, by depressing the mechanism, the pressure is relieved in the hose between the flow valve and the pump, thus signaling the pump's pneumatic control to begin on-demand service by closing the electrical circuit in the pump, which results in the pump being engaged. Attached to the tip of the Water Flow Valve is a small plastic hose which is used to deliver the pumped water to the desired location on the ostomy patient.

[0024] Making the Device

[0025] The prototype device was manufactured using a standard business briefcase, a sealed DC battery, a flexible plastic water flask, hose, a Flojet brand water pump and a commercially-available water control valve.

[0026] A mounting board was permanently installed into the bottom of the briefcase.

[0027] The power unit, slide switch, water reservoir and pump components were installed onto the mounting board in such a fashion as to ensure they will not become un-installed during normal use and transport of the device, yet allowing the components to be removed should they require service or replacement.

[0028] The negative (−) battery terminal was then wired to the negative (−) input post of the battery charging plug, and then wired in series to the negative (−) power post on the pump.

[0029] The positive (+) battery terminal was then wired to the input post of the fuse. The output post of the fuse was then wired to the input post of the battery charging plug, and then wired in series to the positive (+) input post on the slide switch. The output post on the slide switch was then wired to the positive (+) power post on the pump, thus completing the pump wiring installation.

[0030] Installation of the water input hose required a length of clear hose that was installed on the hose connector of the water flask; the hose connector having been pre-manufactured into the filler cap of the flask. The opposite end of the hose was connected to the input port of the pump and secured with a metal ring clamp, thus completing the installation of the water input hose.

[0031] Installation of the water output hose required a length of clear hose that was installed on the output port of the pump and secured using a metal ring clamp. The opposite end of the hose was installed onto a brass hose connector located at the base of the water control valve, and secured with a metal ring clamp, thus completing the installation of the water output hose.

[0032] Configuration of the water control valve was accomplished by installing a rubber coupling tube onto the brass spigot located on the end of the valve component. In the opposite end of the coupling tube, a clear plastic extension was inserted, thus completing the configuration of the water control valve.

[0033] Using the Device

[0034] This device is portable, and is designed to be used anywhere, including out in the “wild” while on hunting, fishing, hiking or camping trips. The typical user follows these sequence of events to use the device:

[0035] Step 1: Charging The Battery power unit component consists of an AC Charging unit that provides the ability to charge the internal battery pack using a standard AC power outlet. Before using the device, the battery must be charged. To accomplish this, the user simply plugs the AC Charging unit into any 60 hz AC Power outlet, and the opposite end plug into the charging jack on the side of the Portable Ostomy Management Device.

[0036] Step 2: Filling The Water Reservoir Before the unit can be used, the use must fill the water reservoir by simply opening the water filler cap and filling the reservoir with tap water.

[0037] Step 3: Turning On The Power in order to turn on power to the pump unit, the override slide switch (on/off) of the power unit must be set to the “on” position.

[0038] Step 4: Operation Once steps 1 through 3 are completed, the device is ready to be used. To begin the flow of water, the user need only activate the water control valve. This causes a drop in hose pressure between the valve and the output port of the pump, which activates the pump unit. Water begins to flow.

[0039] To stop the flow of water, the user simply releases the water control valve which builds pressure in the hose between the valve and the output port of the pump unit. The pump's on-demand feature senses this and shuts the pump unit off.

[0040] Once water is flowing, the user can wash the stoma area and flush out the waste pouch while sitting on, next to, or kneeling besides a toilet bowl. The metered flow from the control valve should not be entered into the stoma opening. The user should apply a pattern of short bursts of water to conserve the reservoir supply.

[0041] When the cleaning process is completed, turn off switch, open control valve to drain hose, and then refill the water supply. 

1. I claim a portable ostomy management device comprising a carrying container component, pump component, power unit component, water reservoir component and water flow valve component.
 2. The carrying component is used for mounting the pump, power unit, water reservoir and water flow valve sub-assemblies, thus rendering the device “portable”.
 3. The power unit component consists of a battery, override slide switch (on/off), and circuitry that allows for it to be re-charged using both AC and DC power sources.
 4. The pump component consists of a water pump with “on-demand” capability, using one or many commercially available pump units that may or may not already carry an individual patent as a stand-alone pump.
 5. The water reservoir component consists of a pouch, molded plastic vessel, or other water-retaining device, as well as a filler spout. The cap of the filler spout has a hose attached which feeds water to the input port of the pump.
 6. The water flow valve consists of a hand-held valve unit that allows the user to start and stop the flow of water from the pump. The end of the flow valve has a hose attached, which the ostomy patient can utilize to flush out the ostomy pouch, stoma, or other need areas.
 7. I claim this device as a compilation and assembly of the described components. 